Description
Book SynopsisA funny look at the social and political dynamic of French village life.
Gabriel Chevallier''s delightful novel Clochemerle satirizes the titanic confrontation of secular and religious forces in a small wine-growing village in Beaujolais. The eruption begins when the socialist mayor decides that he wants to leave behind a monument to his administration''s achievements. He takes as his model the ancient Romans, who were famous for two things: hygiene and noble edifices. Thus, he decides to unite the two concepts...by constructing a public urinal in the centre of town. There is one problem, however: the chosen locale is next to the village church, and this outrages the ecclesiastical party.
*Perfect for fans of Joanne Harris's Chocolate*
Trade ReviewThe plot is a marvel of ingenuity and makes most detective stories look primitive by comparison -- John Brophy
A fine satire, filled with humorous incidents and much subtle philosophy. It is for intelligent, open-minded people with a sense of humour * Yorkshire Post *
The author has a wonderful eye for village types, and the village of Clochemerle is built up for us as a shining and integrated whole - he has chosen to employ his great talents in describing a series of people, episoded and conversations that are ribald, exaggerated and bizarre. I must confess that its rollicking grossness pleased me * Howard Spring *
A full-blooded uproarious farce in the Rabelaisian tradition * Times Literary Supplement *
